Family and domestic violence leave

From 1 February 2023, employers with 15 or more employees are required to provide their employees with 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave (FDVL) per year. 

Employers with less than 15 employees will be required to offer the same leave from 1 August 2023. Until then, employees can continue to take unpaid family and domestic violence leave.

An employee’s paid leave entitlement is available in full immediately and resets on the employee’s work anniversary. It doesn’t accumulate from year to year.

This leave is part of the National Employment Standards (NES) which make up the minimum entitlements for employees in Australia. All employees in the national workplace relations system are covered by the NES. This is regardless of the award, registered agreement or employment contract that applies.

Find out more about FDVL at the Australian Government Fair Work Ombudsman website.